In the next book in USA Today Bestseller Christi Caldwell’s The Brethren series, sparks fly between a spirited lady and the unyielding barrister she goes toe-to-toe with. Duncan Everleigh, barrister, widower, father. Accused murderer. . . Found innocent in the death of his wife, Duncan’s reputation is ruined, his law practice is nearly destroyed, and his daughter hates him. He’s content living … content living for his work. Until one day he meets…
Miss Josephine Pratt…Her life is in tatters. Her oldest brother has brought them to financial ruin. Her betrothed has broken their engagement. Looking to escape, Josephine loses herself in her real passion—her other brother’s law books. A chance meeting in the London streets soon finds her employed by the last man she should, the barrister who’ll be opposing her brother in court.
Soon, Duncan and Josephine, two people who have vowed to never love again, find the protective walls they’ve each built, crumbling. When past secrets threaten to destroy their future, they’ll have to decide if love is enough.
more
Another hit by the talented Christi Caldwell. I always know when I dive into one of her well-written, captivating historical romances, I’m in for a treat. The Minx Who Met Her Match didn’t disappoint!
The Minx Who Met Her Match
The Brethren series #4
Christi Caldwell https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChristiCaldwell/
Release date 10/11/2019
Blurb :
Duncan Everleigh, barrister, widower, father. Accused murderer. . . Found innocent in the death of his wife, Duncan’s reputation is ruined, his law practice is nearly destroyed, and his daughter hates him. He’s content living for his work. Until one day he meets…
Miss Josephine Pratt…Her life is in tatters. Her oldest brother has brought them to financial ruin. Her betrothed has broken their engagement. Looking to escape, Josephine loses herself in her real passion—her other brother’s law books. A chance meeting in the London streets soon finds her employed by the last man she should, the barrister who’ll be opposing her brother in court.
Soon, Duncan and Josephine, two people who have vowed to never love again, find the protective walls they’ve each built, crumbling. When past secrets threaten to destroy their future, they’ll have to decide if love is enough.
My review :
When face to face with the perfect incarnation of whom they always dreamed as their other half, will they overcome their own misconceptions…
I was introduced to Mrs Christi Caldwell’s work this year, and since, I am reading every new release.
First, a thanks to the author for giving some clues about the heroine as I haven’t read the books prior to this year. Now, I can also confirm this book can be read as a standalone.
Mrs Caldwell is a an incredibly talented shaper of characters, she carves out her heroes with her guts, why they are so true with their goods and flaws. No one is white or black, they have all nuances and it is life’s events which will set the level of dark and light.
Josephine appears at first as a bit conceited, so sure of her knowledge and what is right or wrong. Hopefully she also knows when she is in error, she accepts to be criticized for her wrong assertions and does not shy away from her mistakes.
I loved she was the one to move first, she quickly learns to look at the world from the different hues it has and no more for the basic two shades she had always seen it. And by opening her eyes, she also let the past go, freeing herself from her own griefs to dream for a brighter future.
Still, she acts reasonably, she tries to forge her own path, but she is not one to flaunt conventions by the window, she is respectful of her family and if she won’t cause voluntary embarrassment, she also won’t sit idly letting her life pass by her.
Duncan might be the one with less secrets at the beginning, still he is the relying on his own guilt far longer than he should have.
After the trial he went through, he closed his heart and life to anyone else his daughter, and even for her, he can’t seem to find the right way to communicate with her.
And if his own experience was an enlightening occurrence on the hidden face of the justice. Still, even freed from charges, he lives his life as if responsible for them.
Why he will need the help of someone smaller than himself to clear his mind from his own preconceived notions.
A special mention to Charlie, she is an incredible child, clever and funny.
5 stars for this magnificent tale of wishing to live with and for the love the others bring in your life.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/478665026056007?sfns=mo
I stopped reading for a week when she got her job with a huge conflict. The story did well after that.
A wonderful story by Christi Caldwell. Duncan and Josephine had great chemistry, they jumped off the page in every scene.
This story is linked to THE LADY WHO LOVED HIM – a minor character Lathan Holman at the end of that book. He is used as a scapegoat for the Home Office so their internal traitor remains secret. Since Lathan’s brother is a viscount, he is able to get another trial after his impressment. The only barrister to accept the case is Duncan Everleigh, an outcast even though acquitted of the murder of his wife years ago. Now with a 10 year old daughter, this is his key to regain the world’s respect. Miss Josephine Pratt, sister of a baron who brought the family near to financial ruin before his marriage set him on the right track, is an independent woman, recovering from a broken engagement to Lathan’s older brother. With her love of law, Josephine tries to help her other elder brother who is a barrister. He needs and wants her help, but is too afraid of society’s opinion, leaving Josephine to find her own way to a meaningful life and help her family. A chance meeting leads her to Duncan who is virtually a hermit, existing on work alone even to the point of neglecting his daughter. Never afraid of society’s wrath, Josephine sets out to help Duncan – not knowing that he is defending the same client that her brother is prosecuting! Duncan has been without company for so many years, first in a loveless marriage, then falsely accused and acquitted by the law but not the people. Josephine gives a false last name and Duncan is in awe of this spirited, intelligent, outspoken woman, who shows him that you do not have to prove your worth to the world – they can go hang! Their escapades and encounters range from laughter and smiles to stunning revelations to love. While a part of the Brethren series, this is seen more from the outside, although we do see Leo, Marquess of Tennyson. There is so much wisdom in dealing with the world’s opinion and even those of family. Very enjoyable, with laughter and sighs for a beautiful romance!
This is a truly charming book. Caldwell is an instant purchase for me. I don’t bother to read the reviews. I thought this story was lovely. It reminded me of the old Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy movies. Witty banter, heart wrenching moments and quite a bit of steamy romance. My only qualm was that normally Caldwell weaves true events or real places into her stories. She did mention a famous Greek statue in the book called The Terme Boxer. Unfortunately that statue wasn’t even discovered until 1850, and this story is set in 1822. But other than that bit of a history hiccup, I think I fell in love with the hero – Duncan Everleigh. “With the previous distance between them, she’d not had a proper gauge of his height. Up close, separated by a mere handbreadth, she was faced with another fact: He was … tall. And, drat her for noticing once more, nothing short of magnificent.” Bravo Ms Caldwell! Another one out of the park.
The Minx Who Met Her Match by Christi Caldwell
The Brethren Series Book Four
Duncan Everleigh is a barrister who knows what it’s like to be judged by Polite Society. Even if innocent, they hold you in guilt. That is the reason he’ll take on cases other barristers would not. And he worked alone. Until the day the waiflike creature arrived at his window.
Josephine Pratt just wanted to be able to what she loved. She had helped her brother Henry with law cases…but as a woman, and a lady, she was expected to marry and be an obedient wife. Well, after what happened with her previous betrothal…that wasn’t happening.
I loved this story and the characters. The secondary characters added a lot to the story too. Nolan, Josephine’s oldest brother, has his story told in A Winter with a Baron. The storyline kept my full attention from beginning to end.
**Sexual content
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2014/08/christi-caldwell-book-list.html
This is a hard book for me to review and have been mulling over the ratings and my feelings. I will say that I have been fighting through a book slump, which can impact how I feel about a book.
I did find the story enjoyable at times and it had some really great emotional moments that had me tearing up but overall I just found it to be an okay story.
What I liked:
*Josephine and had Duncan good chemistry. It was fun to see their interactions and they did have some great banter. I also loved their outing at the park with Ducan’s daughter
*The author did a great job of bringing the feels when discussing the struggles and pain of the two main characters.
*I also loved the sisterly bond/affection Josephine and her sister law had. It was great to see two women stand up for each other.
What I didn’t Like
*I need more of all three above. I understand that stories don’t adhere to a realistic storyline but the quick pace didn’t work for me with these characters and storyline. I think the story was given time to breathe it would have been outstanding
*I wasn’t able to fully connect to any character in this novel. I thought this story felt choppy at times and didn’t have a good flow which often disrupted my reading and threw me out the story. Scenes, characters, and situations felt plopped down with no real flow or purpose and I find myself often thinking I must have accidentally skipped a page or two.
With the past intertwining these two you wouldn’t know that they would be each other’s true love. With the way that Duncan was treated by being falsely accused of killing his wife, his brother actions, and his family refusing to help him and his daughter he had to start a new life in London. Then with Josephine, who was jilted by her fiance because her family’s money issues and his family’s scandal of what his brother supposedly did, had to make a better betrothal instead with Josephine. Josephine had a love for all things to do with Law, and with helping her brother on his cases , behind scenes, she was happy but when her brother’s wife’s family found out he no longer wanted her coming to his office or wanted her help.
When a sprite of a little girl catches Josephine’s attention wandering London alone, sets her into finding out why and lands her into being a law clerk to Duncan.
This book was so entertaining in the way she and Duncan interacted she let him know what he was missing with his daughter, his cases and life. Duncan just wanted to make a good like for his daughter, Charlie as much as he can with his past in the way but Charlie and Josephine has made him see what he is missing.
Throughout the book Christi has given so many twists and turns and the mystery of the client that wouldn’t give Duncan any help was all intertwined with Josephine and her family. But the best part is how Christi finally wrapped the case and ended the book ….it was priceless!!
Love reading Christi Caldwell’s books they really help in taking away the stresses of the day and gives and leaves you happy and wanting more.
What I love about Christi Caldwell’s books, obviously because they are great, she manages to bring back characters from previous books for her fans but this in no way makes it difficult for a first time reader to pick up a book & enjoy it. Her characters are flawed, real & lovable which all make Christi the fantastic writer she is. This book brings together Josephine & Duncan both hurt by love & protective of their hearts. Josephine is determined to show that women have brains & not just attend balls or soirées. Duncan after being cleared of murder now champions those whose case seems impossible. Brought together by a lost child, they both end up working together before life separates them. Though in true Christi fashion love always finds a way. This is another fantastic read, I love reading about characters with depth and history to them, it gives the reader a reason to root for them. Cannot recommend this book enough, Christi’s writing goes from strength to strength.
Refreshing and Unique
“You’re mad”, he whispered. “Well, you’re rude”, she replied. This is the way it all began for Duncan and Josephine. Absolutely loved the banter between these two. And then mix in his amazing young daughter. So very refreshing.
After a broken engagement, Josephine decides marriage is not in her future. She only wishes to pursue her love of the law that grew while reading her brother’s law books. Duncan is a mere barrister who was suspected of murdering his wife. As a result of his past struggles, he’s determined to prove himself as a successful barrister and provide for him and his daughter. In the process he develops a kind and caring heart for those less fortunate who require a champion for their voices. When they meet and this bold and feisty woman convinces him to take her on as his clerk, sparks fly and feelings grow. A page turner from the start, this captivating story has the reader laughing, crying, and cheering for these wonderful characters til the very end.
Wow! Christi Caldwell never ceases to amaze with her magical storytelling! I’ve read each and every book she’s written, and they still keep coming, just as brilliant as ever.